Osteospermum plant named &#39;Daostreogtyve&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new distinct cultivar of  Osteospermum  plant named ‘DAOSTREOGTYVE’, characterized by being a compact cultivar, with globular upright to spreading shape; Very well branching (8-14 per plant) with stiff and strong lateral stems and small thick leaves. Color of leaves green RHS 139A (upper side) and green RHS 137B (underside); Ray florets being RHS Red 39A when opening and developing into RHS Red 53B when fully open on upper side; and disc florets that appear RHS grayed-orange 166A.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE CLAIMED PLANT

Osteospermum ecklonis

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘DAOSTREOGTYVE’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Osteospermum plant, botanically known as Osteospermum ecklonis (DC) T. Norl., commonly known as Cape Daisy and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘DAOSTREOGTYVE’.

The new Osteospermum cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Rune Nielsen, in Stige, Denmark. The objective of the breeding program is to develop a new Osteospermum cultivar with good garden performance, well branching growth, continuous flowering and an attractive inflorescence color.

The new Osteospermum cultivar is originated from a mutation found in ‘DAOSSEKSTEN’ (U.S. application Ser. No. 13/064,539) selected by the inventor in 2009, in Stige, Denmark.

Asexual reproduction of the new Osteospermum cultivar by terminal cuttings was first performed in November, 2009 in Stige, Denmark, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘DAOSTREOGTYVE’, which in combination distinguish this Osteospermum as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Compact cultivar, with globular upright to spreading shape;

2. Very well branching (8-14 per plant) with stiff and strong lateral stems and small thick leaves. Color of leaves Green RHS 139A (upper side) Green RHS 137B (underside);

3. Ray florets RHS Red 39A when opening and developing into RHS Red 53B when fully open on upper side; and

4. Disc florets that appear grayed-orange (RHS 166A).

Plants of the new Osteospermum ‘DAOSTREOGTYVE’ differ from ‘DAOSSEKSTEN’ (U.S. application Ser. No. 13/064,539), from which it is mutated, in the traits described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Comparison with Parent Variety Mutation from ‘DAOSSEKSTEN’ New Cultivar (U.S. application Trait ‘DAOSTREOGTYVE’ Ser. No. 13/064,539) Plant Size Height: About 13 cm. About 13 cm. Diameter: About 16 cm. About 16 cm. Overall Plant Globular upright to Globular upright to Shape: spreading, with very spreading, with very good basal and axillary good basal and branching. axillary branching. Stem Length: About 6 cm. About 6 cm. Diameter: About 5 mm About 5 mm Strength: Stiff and strong. Stiff and strong. Color: RHS Yellow-green RHS Yellow-green 144A. 144A. Number of About 35. About 35. Inflorescence heads per Plant: Flower Size Diameter: About 6.5-7 cm. About 6.5-7 cm. Mature Petal RHS Red 53B. RHS Orange 26A. Color (upper surface): Color of disc RHS Grayed-orange RHS Gray-brown florets (as they 166A. N199A. appear when sitting in composite flower head).

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Osteospermum ‘DAOSTREOGTYVE’ is the Osteospermum cultivar ‘Cape Daisy® Terracotta’, in the characteristics described in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Comparison with Similar Variety Comparison Cultivar New Cultivar ‘Cape Daisy ® Trait ‘DAOSTREOGTYVE’ Terracotta’ Plant Size Height: About 13 cm. About 14 cm. Diameter: About 16 cm. About 17 cm. Overall Plant Shape: Globular upright to Upright to spreading, with very spreading, with good basal and axillary basal branching. branching. Stem Length: About 6 cm. About 3 cm. Diameter: About 5 mm About 5 mm. Strength: Stiff and strong. Medium strong. Color: RHS Yellow-green RHS Yellow- 144A. green 144B. Number of About 35. About 25. Inflorescence heads per Plant: Flower Size Diameter: About 6.5-7 cm. About 8 cm. Mature Petal Color RHS Grayed-orange RHS Orange (upper surface): 166A. N25D Color of disc florets (as RHS Grayed-orange RHS Brown they appear when sittirig 166A. 200A in composite flower head).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Osteospermum ‘DAOSTREOGTYVE’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘DAOSTREOGTYVE’.

FIG. 1 shows a close-up view of the composite flower head from ‘DAOSTREOGTYVE’.

FIG. 2 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of ‘DAOSTREOGTYVE’ in a 11 cm pot, at 12 weeks of age after planting.

FIG. 3 shows a top-down perspective of a typical flowering plant of ‘DAOSTREOGTYVE’ in a 11 cm pot, at 12 weeks of age after planting.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of the typical lateral stems with leaves and buds of ‘DAOSTREOGTYVE’.

FIG. 5 shows a close-up view of the different leaf sizes of ‘DAOSTREOGTYVE’.

FIG. 6 shows a comparison between the cultivar ‘DAOSSEKSTEN’ (U.S. application Ser. No. 13/064,539) and ‘DAOSTREOGTYVE’ (mutation from ‘DAOSSEKSTEN’)

FIG. 7 shows a comparison between ‘DAOSSEKSTEN’ and ‘DAOSTREOGTYVE’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Osteospermum ‘DAOSTREOGTYVE’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Osteospermum ‘DAOSTREOGTYVE’ as grown in a glasshouse, equipped with heat, assimilation light and ebb/flood watering system in Odense, Denmark, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. The plants were grown in 14° C., with a venting temperature on 16° C. Assimilation light was given when natural daylight was below 3000 lux and the day length was extended to 16 hours. The EC levels in the soil were kept at about 2.5-3.5 and pH around 6.0 during the production. Plant growth was regulated 3 times during the production period, using 3% Cycocel (chlormequat-chloride) as a drench (80-100 ml/pot).

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), Colour Chart 2001 edition, Color values were taken under January daylight conditions at approximately 11:00-13:00 in Stige, Denmark. The age of the ‘DAOSTREOGTYVE’ plants described is 12 weeks from potting.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Osteospermum ecklonis (DC) Norl. -   Mutation from: ‘DAOSSEKSTEN’ (U.S. application Ser. No. 13/064,539) -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Vegetative terminate cuttings.         -   Time and temperature to initiate roots.—About 9 to 13 days             at 19 to 21° C. in tunnels in a greenhouse.         -   Time and temperature to produce a rooted young plant.—About             4 to 5 weeks at 18° (initiation period benefits from 19 to             21° C.).         -   Rooting habit.—Vigorous, white to grayed yellow and well             branched. -   Plant description:     -   -   General appearance and form.—Globular upright, with basal             branching. Inflorescences in composite heads. Freely             branching with lateral flowering branches forming at every             node.         -   Growth rate.—Growing about 1 cm per week during production             period.         -   Plant height.—About 12 cm to 15 cm.         -   Plant width (spread).—About 15 cm to 17 cm.         -   Crop time to produce a mature flowering plant.—It requires 4             to 5 weeks to produce a young plant in a 35 mm propagation             plug. After potting 12 to 14 weeks are required to produce             finished flowering plants in 11 cm pots. -   Stem:     -   -   Shape.—Round.         -   Length.—About 4 cm to 6 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 3 mm to 5 mm.         -   Strength.—Stiff and strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright.         -   Texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Color.—Mature: RHS Yellow-green 144A. Immature: RHS             Yellow-green 144C. -   Branches:     -   -   Branching habit.—Basal branching with very good lateral             branching.         -   Number of branches per plant.—About 3 to 5 branches,             spreading into 18 to 20 lateral branches.         -   Length (including flowers).—About 11 cm to 12 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 5 mm.         -   Strength.—Stiff and strong.         -   Apect.—Upright to spreading.         -   Texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Color.—Mature: RHS Yellow-green 144A. Immature: RHS             Yellow-green 144C.         -   Internode length.—About 4 to 10 mm.         -   Internode color.—RHS Yellow-green 144A. -   Foliage description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Number of leaves per branch.—About 8 to 12 per branch.         -   Length.—About 4 cm to 7 cm.         -   Width.—About 1 cm to 3 cm.         -   Overall shape of leaf.—Obovate to spatulate with 1 to 3             acuminate teeth on each side.         -   Shape at apex.—Obtuse.         -   Shape at base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Dentate (1 to 3 lobes on each leaf).         -   Texture.—Upper surface: Pubescent with scattered short,             stiff hairs. More hairs on the edges of leaf. Lower surface:             Pubescent with scattered short, stiff hairs. More hairs             along veins and on the edges of leaf. Young leaves appear             more hairy than older.         -   Color of developing foliage.—Upper surface: RHS Green 137A.             Lower surface: RHS Green 137C.         -   Color of mature foliage.—Upper surface: RHS Green 139A.             Lower surface: RHS Green 137B.         -   Venation pattern.—Trinerved with veins along nerves.         -   Venation color.—Upper surface: RHS Yellow-green 147B. Lower             surface: RHS Yellow-green 146B. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Arrangement and shape.—Tubular disc floret and flat,             lanceolate ray florets in composite flower heads, developed             from terminal and axillary shoots. The peduncles lift the             Inflorescences 0-4 cm above the foliage. Inflorescences face             upright to 70° angle from vertical.         -   Natural flowering season.—Osteospermum is a bedding plant,             with a flowering season from early spring to late autumn.             Temperatures below 20° C. will increase flowering,             temperatures above 20° C. will reduce flowering.         -   Time to flower.—65 to 85 days.         -   Inflorescence longevity on the plant.—Inflorescence will             maintain good color and substance for about 5-10 days;             however, the longevity of individual inflorescence is highly             dependent on temperature and light conditions. Inflorescence             persistent.         -   Quantity of inflorescences heads.—Freely flowering; about 30             to 40 buds and open inflorescences per plant.         -   Fragrance.—Very discreet smell.         -   Bud (Inflorescences head).—Rate of opening (from showing 1             to 5 days. The rate of opening is highly color to fully open             flower): dependent on temperature and light conditions.             Length: About 12 mm. Diameter: About 10 mm. Shape:             Acuminate. Texture: Pubescent with small hairs. Color: RHS             Yellow-green 144A at base to RHS Green 137A at apex.         -   Peduncle.—From both terminate and axillary shoots. Length:             About 3 to 5 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm. Angle: About 0 to 30°             from vertical. Strength: Medium strong. Texture: Pubescent             with small white hairs. Color: RHS Yellow-green 144A.         -   Inflorescence head.—Length: About 10 mm. Diameter: About 7             to 8 cm.         -   Ray florets.—Quantity per Inflorescence head: 20 to 24.             Length: 30 mm Widths: 7 to 9 mm Overall shape: Spatulate             Shape at apex: Obtuse. Shape at base: Acute. Margin: Entire,             small cleft at apex. Texture: Upper surface: smooth, matte,             slightly furrowed. Lower surface: smooth, matte, slightly             furrowed. Color upper side: When opening RHS Red 39A             developing into RHS Red 53B when fully open. Color             underside: Stripes of various colors; RHS Grayed-red 182A,             RHS Grayed-orange 174B and RHS Grayed-purple 187A.         -   Disc florets.—Quantity per Inflorescence head: 65 to 75.             Length: 6 mm. Diameter: 1 mm. Color Tip: RHS Grayed-purple             187A. Middle: RHS Gray-brown N199A Lower half: White with             very small stains of RHS Red-purple 58C gives this part a             light purple look.         -   Phyllary.—15 to 20. Length: 8 to 10 mm. Width: 1 to 2 mm.             Overall shape: Lanceolate. Apix: Narrow Acuminate. Base:             Fused. Margin: Entire. Color: RHS Green 137A. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium.—Location: Disc florets only. Stamen number: 5             fused. Stamen length: About 5 mm. Anther shape: Linear,             fused. Anther length: About 2 mm. Pollen amount: Medium             amount. Pollen color: RHS Yellow-orange 14A.         -   Gynoecium.—Location: Ray and disc florets Quantity: 1 Pistil             length: About 5 mm Stigma shape: Brush-like, cleft 1.5 mm             deep Stigma length: About 2 mm Stigma color: RHS             Grayed-purple N186A. Style length: About 4 mm Style color:             Lower part: RHS White N155A. Upper part: RHS Red-purple 70A.             Ovary color: RHS Yellow-green 145B. -   Seed/fruit: Seed and fruit production has not been observed. -   Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests common to     Osteospermum has not been observed. -   Disease/pest susceptibility: Susceptibility to pathogens and pests     common to Osteospermum has not been observed. -   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Osteospermum have exhibited     good tolerance to rain, wind and drought; however, flowering may     cease during hot periods (temperatures above 25° C.). Low     temperature tolerance to 1 ° C. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Osteospermum plant named ‘DAOSTREOGTYVE’, as illustrated and described herein. 